Scammer makes $1.3 million dollars in fake Walmart returns

A man who allegedly carried out more than 1,000 fraudulent returns to Walmarts all over the United States within the past 18 months was arrested on Wednesday in Arizona.

According to the Arizona Republic, police arrested Thomas Frudaker, 23, after they were dispatched to a Yuma store amid reports of a suspicious transaction. Yuma police spokeswoman Edith Ruiz said Frudaker purchased a computer, removed some of its parts, and attempted to return it. Investigators suspect that he made a similar return at another Yuma store the same day.

In an 18-month period, police believe Frudaker made sketchy returns totaling in a $1.3 million loss to more than a hundred Walmart stores across the country. It’s unclear how he allegedly committed his other fraudulent returns. Detectives are currently investigating the other reported schemes.

Frudaker was charged with two counts of theft, two counts of fraudulent schemes and artifices, and two counts of criminal damage—all felonies. He’s currently jailed on $40,000 bond.

[Featured Image: Thomas Frudaker/Yuma County Detention Center]